Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Journal Stone Publishing Keeps Growing
One of the most unfortunate trends in horror publishing over the last couple of years has been the slow decline in the number of paperback horror titles available to the general customer. From a public library perspective, we really need to be able to get our books from the large distributors or a local book store. It has been hard recently.
Before the Dorchester implosion back in 2010 (click here for details), their Leisure books imprint was a reliable source of great horror paperbacks. With mass market paperbacks beginning to go extinct and being taken over by ebooks, getting horror novels in patrons hands has been difficult.
Ebooks and libraries are in a very tenuous position right now. We are barely co-existing, and the focus of our ebook collections is on huge best sellers, not the smaller niche markets.
To save money, publishers were moving to ebook, but I still need horror paperbacks for my patrons.
I have been closely monitoring this evolution, and to tell you the truth, was not optimistic, but in the last few weeks, I have had two bits of good news from two different publishers making me think things might turn around and I will be able to go back to putting good paperback horror, by a wider range of authors, into my readers' hands.
First, at the end of June, Amazon announced that they have bought the rights to Dorchester's back catalog. This is great news for authors like Brian Keene and John Everson. In fact, Everson left a comment of the PW announcement.
And now, Journal Stone, already listed as a favorite of mine on my Publisher's page, is in the middle of a big expansion. One of their brightest, rising stars is Brett Talley. I have just added both of his books to the BPL's collection and plan to start handing them out to many patrons.
Click here for details on Journal Stone in their press release.
For the first time in 2 years, things are back on the upswing in horror paperback publishing. I am sure I am not the only one who is thankful.
Before the Dorchester implosion back in 2010 (click here for details), their Leisure books imprint was a reliable source of great horror paperbacks. With mass market paperbacks beginning to go extinct and being taken over by ebooks, getting horror novels in patrons hands has been difficult.
Ebooks and libraries are in a very tenuous position right now. We are barely co-existing, and the focus of our ebook collections is on huge best sellers, not the smaller niche markets.
To save money, publishers were moving to ebook, but I still need horror paperbacks for my patrons.
I have been closely monitoring this evolution, and to tell you the truth, was not optimistic, but in the last few weeks, I have had two bits of good news from two different publishers making me think things might turn around and I will be able to go back to putting good paperback horror, by a wider range of authors, into my readers' hands.
First, at the end of June, Amazon announced that they have bought the rights to Dorchester's back catalog. This is great news for authors like Brian Keene and John Everson. In fact, Everson left a comment of the PW announcement.
And now, Journal Stone, already listed as a favorite of mine on my Publisher's page, is in the middle of a big expansion. One of their brightest, rising stars is Brett Talley. I have just added both of his books to the BPL's collection and plan to start handing them out to many patrons.
Click here for details on Journal Stone in their press release.
For the first time in 2 years, things are back on the upswing in horror paperback publishing. I am sure I am not the only one who is thankful.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Horror Roundtable Time: Ray Bradbury: An Appreciation
The first Horror Writers Association Roundtable was a big success (click here to access my post on it).
As promised, these discussions will continue to be held during the second week of the month. This month, there will be a discussion about the life and work of Ray Bradbury.
As always, the conversation will begin with a panel of experts that includes, this time, Sam Weller, Bradbury's official biographer. This is a discussion you don't want to miss.
So click here now for details and from July 8-14 to follow the discussion. You can choose to participate or lurk whether you are a HWA member of not.
You can also use this link to access the last roundtable and read the discussion about the popularity of cross-genre writing.
As promised, these discussions will continue to be held during the second week of the month. This month, there will be a discussion about the life and work of Ray Bradbury.
As always, the conversation will begin with a panel of experts that includes, this time, Sam Weller, Bradbury's official biographer. This is a discussion you don't want to miss.
So click here now for details and from July 8-14 to follow the discussion. You can choose to participate or lurk whether you are a HWA member of not.
You can also use this link to access the last roundtable and read the discussion about the popularity of cross-genre writing.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Hug a Monster Day is Coming
Yesterday I received a press release from fellow Horror Blogger Alliance Gold Members Jim and Sarah and their Stuff Monsters Like site about Intergalactic Hug a Monster Day 2012 coming July 27th.
Click here for the full press release.
I happened to open this email while sitting at the BPL RA desk with my co-worker the Librarian at Dawn whose birthday happens to fall on Hug a Monster Day this year. That realization inspired him to write a great post pondering his upcoming birthday and the biggest monster of all...time.
Click here to read his post. And remember, I have a permanent link to Librarian at Dawn in the right gutter of this blog.
Oh, and I just realized, I should mention, the BPL RA desk is not filled with only horror loving librarians, although this post may make it seem that way. We have and welcome all types at the BPL. In fact, watching the Librarian at Dawn help little old ladies with their romance choices is one of my favorite things. (And he is good at it too).
Click here for the full press release.
I happened to open this email while sitting at the BPL RA desk with my co-worker the Librarian at Dawn whose birthday happens to fall on Hug a Monster Day this year. That realization inspired him to write a great post pondering his upcoming birthday and the biggest monster of all...time.
Click here to read his post. And remember, I have a permanent link to Librarian at Dawn in the right gutter of this blog.
Oh, and I just realized, I should mention, the BPL RA desk is not filled with only horror loving librarians, although this post may make it seem that way. We have and welcome all types at the BPL. In fact, watching the Librarian at Dawn help little old ladies with their romance choices is one of my favorite things. (And he is good at it too).
Monday, July 2, 2012
Monster Librarian Movie Month
July is movie month over at Monster Librarian. Click here for their introductory post, which includes a teaser of the guest post I wrote for them.
Follow the month on their special page here and I will let you all know when they run my guest spot.
In the mean time, watch some scary movies this month. Need a suggestion?
Follow the month on their special page here and I will let you all know when they run my guest spot.
In the mean time, watch some scary movies this month. Need a suggestion?